A first-cycle Glaucous Gull was among the large gull flock begging for bread at Portland’s Westmorland Park this afternoon. The large size, pale color overall, very pale wing tips, and light pink bill with the neat black tip are all good field marks for this species at this age.

Here’s a closer view of the bill. Glaucous Gulls are never common in Oregon, but several have been reported in the Portland area this winter.

Thanks for your comment, Amar. I think this bird looks good for a Glaucous, but I think it might be a second-cycle bird, rather than a first cycle. That would explain the grayish cast on the wing coverts and the pale tip on the bill. The bird in the background is indeed a Western X Glaucous-winged hybrid, often referred to as “Olympic Gull.”